Seclusion

Gallery: AvianPosted June 21, 2010127 views10 comments

A small white heron of pastures and roadsides, the Cattle Egret is more at home foraging in grass than in water. It follows cattle, horses, and tractors to catch the insects they stir up.
Immature entirely white without plumes. Bill starts out dark and gradually becomes yellow.
F/8, 1/640th, ISO 640, Canon 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 with monopod & natural light. 20% crop from original.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Charles Opper on June 21, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Very nice detail and exposure with the egret. The focus is spot on. There is a sense of mystery and darkness with the tone of this photo as the egret is obscured.

Registered on December 5, 2008, 10 Posts, 52 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on June 21, 2010 at 10:39 PM

Beautiful image with some good info., Howard.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on June 22, 2010 at 12:02 AM

neat in-habitat shot, Howard, I like how the vegetation surrounds him with just a little oof in front. nice and sharp and well-exposed too.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on June 22, 2010 at 2:36 AM

Fine shot, Howard!
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on June 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM

Nice pose. I might open up the eye a tad. The feather details and the exposure look good. I might leave a tiny bit more room up top if it were mine. I think the way you have captured it peeking out from the greenery is lovely.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on June 22, 2010 at 6:31 PM

These through the foliage shots are tough to pull off and this is very nice. Looks like you caught him with some nice breeding color.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on June 22, 2010 at 9:24 PM

Hi Howard,
Nothing like a Cattle Egret in prime breeding colors and plumage. The colors look very natural. I like that the head feathers were raised.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen on June 22, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Beautiful image showing the breeding plumage and colors; good control of the whites; strong eye contact.

Registered on November 11, 2007, 42 Posts, 803 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 22, 2010 at 11:04 PM

Beautiful, Howard. I like the partially hidden aspect of this.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 23, 2010 at 5:59 PM

Gorgeous Howard. You got the great breeding colors and nice greens

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments